As the festive season approaches, many families in the UK are preparing to decorate their homes with Christmas lights. However, the financial impact of these decorations on electricity bills can be significant.
Understanding the Cost of Christmas Lights
Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert (MSE) has introduced a practical calculator designed to help consumers calculate the cost of running their Christmas lights. This tool allows users to input details such as the type of lights, daily usage hours, and the total number of days they plan to use them.
Estimating Costs for Different Decorations
Specific examples provided by MSE illustrate how costs vary based on the type of lighting used:
- LED String Lights: If you use LED lights with 500 to 1000 bulbs for eight hours daily over two weeks, the estimated cost is around 18p.
- Incandescent String Lights: For traditional incandescent bulbs used in the same manner, the cost rises to approximately £1.93.
- Moving Decorations: A moving illuminated display, like a bobbing reindeer, would incur a projected cost of about 35p for the two-week period.
- Large Inflatable Decorations: For larger displays, such as an inflatable Santa Claus, the expected cost is roughly 44p when used for eight hours daily over two weeks.
Assumptions and Variability
MSE acknowledges that these estimates are based on standard assumptions about light sets, and actual costs may vary depending on specific wattages and types of decorations. The calculator serves as an informative guide for families looking to budget for their holiday light displays.
For anyone interested in assessing their potential Christmas light expenses, the MSE Christmas lights calculator is available for use on the El-Balad website.
